Method and apparatus to construct metal securement member for an aircraft

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a mounting device in an aircraft. In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member of the mounting device. In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing and using a mounting device in an aircraft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/556,099, filed Nov. 2, 2006 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS TO CONSTRUCT METAL SECUREMENT MEMBER FOR AN AIRCRAFT”, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of mounting devices and methods of using mounting devices in the art of manufacturing aircraft. Some of these mounting devices when installed in aircraft wings cause imperfections on the surface of the aircraft wing which can increase undesirable turbulent flow and drag over the wing. In addition, some of the mounting devices used in the art do not contribute enough stiffness and strength to aircraft wings and fuselage. Further, some of the mounting devices do not adequately secure structures within aircraft. A mounting device, and method for its use, is needed which may solve one or more problems in one or more of the existing mounting devices used in aircraft.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member. The method comprises holding at least two metal sheets in a predetermined position, welding the sheets together with the sheets held in the predetermined position, and annealing the sheets with maintaining the sheets held in the predetermined position. A clamping assembly which can be used with the method for assembling the metal securement member is also disclosed.

In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. The mounting device comprises a metal securement member and a composite member attached to the metal securement member and positioned within a channel formed in a structural member of an aircraft. The metal securement member can be configured in the form of at least one of a pi chord, T chord, J chord, I beam, sinewave beam, and F beam. The metal securement member can be constructed of titanium. The composite member can be constructed of a graphite fiber epoxy laminate.

One example of the mounting device comprises a titanium alloy securement member comprising a cap member and two spaced apart arms connected to and extending from a first surface of the cap member and a graphite fiber epoxy laminate member attached to a second surface of the cap member, opposite the first, and positioned within a channel formed in a wing of an aircraft.

In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing a mounting device in a structural member of an aircraft. The method comprising the steps of positioning a mounting device within a channel formed in the structural member, wherein the mounting device comprises a metal securement member and a composite member attached to the metal securement member, and attaching the composite member to the structural member within the channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the metal securement member in the configuration of a pi chord;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of an embodiment of the mounting device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially cut away top perspective view of a wing of an aircraft with an embodiment of the mounting device of the present invention mounted thereto;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of FIG. 3 with a spar engaged to the mounting device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an aircraft wing being installed on an aircraft with an embodiment of the mounting device of the present invention installed along the length of the aircraft wing;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of an embodiment of the mounting device of the present invention positioned within a channel formed in a structural member of an aircraft;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of an embodiment of the mounting device of the present invention positioned within a channel formed in a structural member of an aircraft;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of an embodiment of the constraint and fixture tool used to construct an embodiment of the metal securement member in the configuration of a pi chord; and

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one example of the invention, a metal securement member can be configured in the form of a pi chord (1). Pi chord (1) is constructed of a cap (2) and two spaced apart arms (3) secured to and extending from the same side of the cap (2). Pi chord (1) generally resembles the shape of the Greek letter π (pi). Pi chord (1) in this example provides a pinch angle (4) where spaced apart arms (3) pinch or converge toward one another as they extend from cap (2) at an angle relative to cap (2). The space between spaced apart arms (3) form a slot (5). Cap (2) and spaced apart arms (3) in this example are constructed of three sheets of metal. The metal can be a titanium alloy.

In one example the titanium alloy can be a alpha-beta titanium alloy, such as, for example, Ti-6 Al-4V or Ti 3Al-2.5 V, or a precipitation hardened metastable beta titanium alloy, such as, for example, Ti 15-3-3-3, Beta 21 S, or VT-22. A particularly useful example of metastable beta titanium alloy for use in this invention possesses the properties of high yield strength of approximately 180 to 200 Ksi, a modulus of approximately 14.5 to 15 Msi, and a coefficient of thermal expansion of approximately 5.1×10-6 /degree Fahrenheit. The titanium alloy sheets can be between 0.020″ to 0.20″ thick.

In one example of the invention, the metal securement member can be made by using a novel method of assembly disclosed herein. For example, pi chord (1) can be manufactured using this method by holding spaced apart arms (3) in contact with cap (2) throughout the welding and annealing steps. Holding spaced apart arms (3) to cap (2) throughout both the welding and annealing steps prevents pi chord (1) from distorting in configuration. Distortion can occur if the components were otherwise released between the welding and annealing steps. The holding of spaced apart arms (3) to cap (2) can be performed by a constraint and fixture tool. An example a constraint and fixture tool (21) used to make a metal securement member in the configuration of a pi chord is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The welding can be performed by utilizing laser, plasma arc, or gas tungsten arc stake welding. The annealing can take place in a vacuum furnace. This method can be used to make a welded joint between any number of metal sheets, including but not limited to metal sheets made of titanium alloy, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and nickel based alloys. This method can be used to fabricate metal securement members of different shapes, including but not limited to T and J chords; I and sinewave beams; and F beams in either straight or curved sections.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an example of a constraint and fixture tool (21) used to construct a metal securement member in the configuration of a pi chord (1). Three sheets of metal are held in the configuration of a pi chord by using a block (22), wedges (24 a and 24 b), an insert (26), and cap clamps (28 a and 28 b), as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Clamps (32 a and 32 b) and spacers (34 a and 34 b) are used to constrain and fix the tool so that the spaced apart arms (3) and the cap (2) are configured and held in a desired position. The cap clamps (28 a and 28 b) are configured so that a weld trough (30) is defined where the spaced apart arms (3) contact the cap (2) to allow access for welding. The constraint fixture tool (21) of FIGS. 9 and 10 can be used to construct pi chords (1) with slots (5) of various width by changing the width of the insert (26). As the width of the insert (26) increases, the wedges (24 a and 24 b) will set at a higher position relative to the bottom of the block (22). This design allows the constraint and fixture tool (21) to be used to construct pi chords with different slot widths without having to change all the components of the fixture tool (21).

In one example, this method is employed in the construction of a metal securement members made of titanium alloy. When using this method in the construction of a metal securement member made of titanium alloy, the annealing step can be performed in a vacuum furnace at about 900 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit for one-half to four hours for metastable beta titanium alloys or a about 1400 to 1450 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 30 minutes for alpha-beta titanium alloys. Benefits of the annealing step include, but are not limited to stress relief and precipitation strengthening for the metastable beta titanium alloys and residual stress relief for the alpha-beta titanium alloys.

In another example, holes (8) are defined in the spaced apart arms (3). Holes (8) can be positioned closer to the cap than the distal end of an arm (3 a) and can be positioned along the length of pi chord (1). As will be described below, holes (8) can be utilized to permit adhesive (18) to pass from slot (5) or inside arms (3) to outside arms (3).

As shown in FIG. 2, in one example of mounting device (6) a composite member (7) is bonded to cap (2) of pi chord (1). The composite member can be constructed of a graphite composite material using thermoset resin or a thermoplastic resin matrix. Suitable thermoset resins include, but are not limited to, epoxy, bismaleimide (“BMI”), and polyimide (“PI”). Suitable thermoplastic resins include, but are not limited to, polyetheretherketone (“PEEK”), polyetherketoneketone (“PEKK”), polyetherimide (“PEI”), and polyphenylene sulfide (“PPS”). The graphite composite material can have a lay-up of approximately 70 to 80% zero degree oriented fibers and approximately 20 to 30% forty five degree oriented fibers. The graphite fiber used to construct the graphite composite material is preferably a polyacrylonitrile (“PAN”) derived fiber with an elastic modulus of 44 Msi (IM-7 fiber) to 65 Msi (M46J fiber) with a 1.2 to 1.5% strain to failure.

As mentioned above, pi chord (1) can be made of a titanium alloy. One benefit of a mounting device (6) with a pi chord (1) constructed of titanium alloy includes but is not limited to a high shear strength at the joint where spaced apart arms (3) contact cap (2). The greater shear strength at this joint provides many benefits, including but not limited to allowing pi chord (1) to be stiffer and thinner than pi chords constructed of other metals.

In another example of mounting device (6), pi chord (1) is constructed of a titanium alloy and composite member (7) is constructed of a graphite fiber epoxy laminate composite material that utilizes PAN derived graphite fibers. One benefit of this example is that the titanium alloy and the graphite fiber epoxy laminate composite have similar coefficients of thermal expansion, thereby reducing the amount of internal thermal stresses that can result in either the warping of mounting device (6) or separation of composite member (7) from pi chord (1). Another benefit of this example is that the high strain to yield of titanium alloys, particularly metastable beta titanium alloys, correspond to the strain to failure of PAN derived graphite fibers, thereby creating efficient structures.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, a composite member (7) that is procured can be bonded to cap (2) using a bonding agent, other adhesive, or both (18). The bonding agent can be a SOL-GEL as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,797,376; 6,770,371; 6,037,060; 5,869140; 5,814,137 and related patents. The other adhesive can be, for example, a polymeric film adhesive (such as FM-300), a paste adhesive, a thermoplastic resin film, or other suitable adhesives used by those skilled in the art. Composite member (7) can be coextensive with the surface of cap (2) or extend beyond the perimeter of cap (2). Composite member (7) can also extend beyond the perimeter of cap (2) and wrap (17) around it to come in contact with the under side of cap (2). Should wrapping of composite member (7) around cap (2) be employed, the wrap (17) structure prevents composite member (7) from separating from cap (2) if the bond between the two were to fail. All or a portion of mounting device (6) with composite member (7) bonded to cap (2) can be vacuum bagged and cured in an oven at about atmospheric pressure or in an autoclave at greater than atmospheric pressure, preferably at about 80 to 200 psia.

In another example, composite member (7) can be co-cured directly onto cap (2) of pi chord (1). A bonding agent, other adhesive, or both can be applied to the surface of cap (2) to facilitate bonding of composite member to cap (2) during curing. In one example, composite member (7) can be constructed of composite plies that can be lay-ed up on the cap, thereby using it as the lay-up mandrel tool. Composite member (7) can be coextensive with the surface of cap (2) or extend beyond the perimeter of cap (2). Composite member (7) can also extend beyond the perimeter of cap and wrap (17) around it to come in contact with the under side of cap (2). All or a portion of mounting device (6) with composite member (7) co-cured directly to cap (2) can be vacuum bagged and cured in an oven at about atmospheric pressure or in an autoclave at greater than atmospheric pressure, preferably at about 80 to 200 psia.

Mounting device (6) can be installed into channel (9) defined in core (11) of skin (12) of an aircraft wing (10). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an example of channel (9) can be defined in core (11) and up to inside mold line (16 a) of outer skin (16) of aircraft wing (10). The thickness of composite member (7) of mounting device (6) can correspond to the thickness of core (11) of skin (12) along the length of aircraft wing (10). Mounting device (6) can be secured into channel (9) by using a bonding agent, other adhesive, or both. Mounting device (6) can also be secured into channel (9) by co-curing mounting device (6) to inside mold line (16 a) of outer skin (16) of aircraft wing (10). All or a portion of the assembly can be can be vacuum bagged and cured in an oven at about atmospheric pressure or in an autoclave at greater than atmospheric pressure, preferably at about 80 to 200 psia.

As shown in FIG. 4, in one example, composite member (7) of upper and lower mounting devices, (6 a) and (6 b), can be inserted into opposing channels, (9 a) and (9 b), in place of, for example, core (11) of skin (12) of aircraft wing (10). All or a portion of the assembly can be can be vacuum bagged and cured in an oven at about atmospheric pressure or in an autoclave at greater than atmospheric pressure, preferably at about 80 to 200 psia. Spar web panel (13) can be inserted into the upper and lower slots, (5 a) and (5 b), of mounting devices, (6 a) and (6 b). In an example of mounting device (6) with pinch angles (4), spaced apart arms (3) can pinch or engage spar web panel (13). A bonding agent, other adhesive, or both can be used to further secure spar web panel (13) to mounting device (6). A tight fit between spaced apart arms (3) and spar web panel (13) is preferred in part because it can allow the use of a higher strength adhesive between spaced apart arms (3) and spar web panel (13). If a bonding agent, other adhesives, or both (18) are used to secure spar web panel (13) to mounting device (6), any excess can seep out holes (8), thereby allowing for slot (5) to be filled, as shown in FIG. 5. A paste adhesive is preferred to fill any gaps between the cap (2) and the spar web panel (13) in the slot (5). All or a portion of the assembly, of the upper and lower mounting devices, (6 a) and (6 b), in opposing channels, (9 a) and (9 b), with spar web panel installed, of aircraft wing (10) can also be vacuum bagged and cured in an oven at about atmospheric pressure or in an autoclave at greater than atmospheric pressure, preferably at about 80 to 200 psia.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, mounting device (6) can comprise composite member (7) constructed of a graphite fiber epoxy laminate composite material and pi chord (1) constructed of a titanium alloy. One benefit of such an example is increased stiffness in aircraft wing (10).

In the example shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, spar web panel (13) can be trimmed to the taper of wing (10) and inserted into both the upper and lower slots, (5 a) and (5 b), of mounting devices, (6 a) and (6 b), from wing root (14) to tip (15) of the wing (10). Spar (13) can be secured to the mounting devices, (6 a) and (6 b), as described above. All or a portion of the assembly can be vacuum bagged and cured in an oven at about atmospheric pressure or in an autoclave at greater than atmospheric pressure, preferably at about 80 to 200 psia.

One benefit of the example shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 is that edges of spar web (13) do not need to abut cap (2) along the length of mounting device (6) to be adequately secured within arms (3). Such an example, therefore, can allow for a dimensional mismatch between spar web panel (13) and the underside of caps (2) of two opposing mounting devices, (6 a) and (6 b). Benefits of such an example include but are not limited to simplified assembly and reduced incidence of “pull-in” or surface wave of outer mold line (16 b) of outer skin (16) of wing (10). The later being a contributor to undesirable turbulent flow and drag over the surface of the wing.

The invention is not limited to use as a mounting device in an aircraft wing. As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8 the invention can serve as a mounting device in other structural members of an aircraft. Other structural members contemplated by the invention include but are not limited to a fuselage, fuselage skin, fin, or aileron of an aircraft or a floor or ceiling within an aircraft. In addition, the invention is not limited to a mounting device constructed of a composite member (7) and a metal securement member that is configured in the form of a pi chord (1). As shown in FIG. 7, one example of the mounting device can be constructed of a composite member (7) and a metal securement member configured in the form of an I beam (19). As shown in FIG. 8, one example of the mounting device (6) can be constructed of a composite member (7) and a metal securement member configured in the form of a T chord (20). Other examples of the mounting device include but are not limited to those constructed of a composite member and a metal securement member configured in the form of a J chord, sinewave beam, and F beam in either straight or curved sections (not shown). In addition, various methods known to those skilled in the art can be used to mount or secure structures to the mounting device (6). These methods include but are not limited to those described above and bolting, riveting, welding, curing, and clamping. 

We claim:
 1. A clamping assembly, comprising: a base which defines an elongated trough wherein the trough comprises opposing sidewalls and a bottom, wherein the opposing sidewalls are sloped such that the opposing sidewalls are closer at the bottom than at a top of the trough, and wherein the trough is adapted to receive a pi chord securement member which comprises spaced apart arms, a cap which overlies an end of each of the spaced apart arms and wherein the spaced apart arms are positioned transverse to the cap; an insert positionable between the spaced apart arms of the pi chord securement member; two wedge members comprising a first wedge member positionable between one of the opposing sidewalls and an arm of the spaced apart arms of the pi chord securement member and a second wedge member positionable between another of the opposing sidewalls and an opposing arm of the spaced apart arms of the pi chord securement member; and at least one clamp cap positionable to overlie at least a portion of the cap of the pi chord member such that the portion of the cap is positioned between the clamp cap and at least one of the two wedge members.
 2. The clamping assembly of claim 1, wherein the arms are formed of at least one of a titanium alloy, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or a nickel alloy.
 3. The clamping assembly of claim 1, wherein the arms converge toward each another as the spaced apart arms extend away from the cap.
 4. The clamping assembly of claim 1, wherein a weld fixedly attaches each arm to the cap.
 5. The clamping assembly of claim 1, wherein the spaced apart arms comprise: a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, each arm separated by a predetermined distance; the insert disposed between the first arm and the second arm; and a second insert disposed between the second arm and the third arm.
 6. The clamping assembly of claim 1, further including a spar member configured to be fixedly retained between the arms when the insert is removed.
 7. The clamping assembly of claim 6, further including a plurality of apertures formed proximal to a first end of each arm to permit an adhesive to contact the spar member, and fill voids between each arm and a portion of the spar member.
 8. A clamping assembly, comprising: a base block having an upper surface; a first cap clamp and a second cap clamp, each cap clamp having a bottom surface, each cap clamp overlying the upper surface of the base block and extending substantially along a length of the base block; the base block having an elongated trough formed therein, the elongated trough defined by opposing sloped sidewalls and a bottom portion, wherein the trough is adapted to receive a pi chord securement member, the pi chord securement member comprising at least two spaced apart arms and a planar cap which overlies a first end of each of the at least two spaced apart arms, wherein the at least two spaced apart arms positioned transverse to the planar cap; an insert positionable between the at least two spaced apart arms; a first wedge member received between one of the opposing sloped sidewalls of the trough and an arm of the at least two spaced apart arms; a second wedge member received between another of the opposing sloped sidewalls of the trough and another arm of the at least two spaced apart arms; the planar cap of the pi chord securement member fixedly retained between the bottom surface of each cap clamp and the upper surface of the base block; and wherein compressive pressure between the clamp caps and the base block fixedly retains each of the spaced apart arms between a corresponding wedge member and the insert so as to retain the arms at a fixed angle relative to the planar cap of the pi chord securement member.
 9. The clamping assembly of claim 8, wherein the arms are formed of at least one of a titanium alloy, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or a nickel alloy.
 10. The clamping assembly of claim 8, wherein the arms converge toward each another as the spaced apart arms extend away from the planar cap.
 11. The clamping assembly of claim 8, wherein a weld fixedly attaches each arm to the planar cap.
 12. The clamping assembly of claim 8, wherein the spaced apart arms compnse: a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm, each arm separated by a predetermined distance; the insert disposed between the first arm and the second arm; and a second insert disposed between the second arm and the third arm.
 13. The clamping assembly of claim 8, further including a spar member configured to be fixedly retained between the arms when the insert is removed.
 14. The clamping assembly of claim 13, further including a plurality of apertures formed proximal to the first end of each arm to permit an adhesive to contact the spar member, and fill voids between each arm and a portion of the spar member.
 15. The clamping assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second wedge members have a height less than a distance defined between the upper surface of the base block and the bottom portion of the elongated trough, such that the wedges do not contact the bottom portion of the elongated trough. 